Work Group Meetings #1a

Wed. 3:30 - 5 p.m.     Town Hall Meeting Room A

Community Support

 

Present: Robert Gaston, Kristine Hopkins, Lynn Stanley, Steve Manning, Tracy Primavera, Jasmine Benjoya, Jill Geier

 

Priorities

1. Initiate regular communications and meetings between the various community groups to work together to build trust and support for community housing and economic development actions.

 

The group discussed:

v     How to balance self-interest with community survival

v     Identified several communities of interest: school, artists, older residents, young adults, faith groups, year-round employees

v     Key message points: stop loss of residents, stop disenfranchisement, save school, revitalize sense of community

v     Who needs to be involved in discussion: JR to send out list of invitee organizations

 

2. Communicate community housing activity, needs, and successes on a regular basis through the Banner and the town’s website.

 

v     Khristine suggested that Banner will participate if asked. They need to be fed a regular story that keeps focus informed on progress, challenges, upcoming votes, etc.

 

3. Develop a transparent process based on clear guidelines to insure that: a) opportunities go to those whose qualifications are widely supported; b) the process is administered fairly; and c) consistent enforcement guards against program abuse.

 

v     The consultant asked the group to think about this and talk about it next time

 

 

For October 18th Meeting

 

 

  1. Distribute Meeting Notes (Lynn)
  2. Distribute Master List of Stakeholder groups and discuss who are the key groups and individuals to involve in ongoing Community Support discussions

3.    Identify the key messages that you want to convey. Jerry Ananthan from the Finance Work Group came up with what I thought was an inspired campaign slogan- “Be a HERO: Help Ensure Residential Occupancy.” As part of a campaign to provide Year Round rents rather than just seasonal, convert unused space into residential housing, and contribute to Affordable Housing Trust Fund.  What do you think?

  1. Who should have the responsibility to keep the Banner involved and supplied with material? What links can be made between the Banner and the Town’s website? What can be done to make that website more user friendly?
  2. Discuss the key characteristics of Priority #3. Please consider a weighted advantage based on length of continuous residency, and some preference for municipal employees.